Bean Sticks

 This is the sort of thing you make when it's freezing cold outside, and you are longing for both the beach and the garden. 

I'm planning to stake my bush beans this year and see if I get more productivity.  The paint is to help preserve the wood. (Still need to seal them.)  And I figured if I'm going to paint them, I might as well have some fun with it.

A Wooden Puzzle Book

I just thought this was a cool concept.

Here is an article and here is the YouTube video.

And, yes, I wouldn't mind getting one for my birthday!

Making Fireworks A Little Safer

Q.  How can you keep the fireworks' tubes from falling over and shooting fireworks in unpredicted and unsafe directions?  (At bushes, cars, spectators, etc.)

A. Make an easy DIY fireworks platform.

Screw the launch tubes to a big piece of plywood.

Really, you are thinking--shoot fireworks on top of something flammable?   As anyone who has ever tried to start a fire to cook dinner or roast marshmallows, wood doesn't burst into flame as easily as you'd expect.

We've used the same one for years and it's never caught on fire.

Despite us doing this:

Weekly Round-Up

It seems like it's been a while.....

But good things have been happening!

Dad and I, plus Uncle Pat, played in the woodshop:

What is it?  Stay tuned.....

While at my parents Mom and I measured space for a rug:

Belovedest and I planted potatoes on Easter:

First flowers from the garden!

And then--- oh joy! -- cooking with Auntie M of Four Eyes and a Stove!  Yes, you really can taste the difference when someone knows what she is doing is cooking!

Today I'm off to spend time with my nephew Alex in honor of his BIG DAY tomorrow: 

his First Communion!

Mystery Stamper

I made it myself!  It has a handle on top and velcro on the bottom....

What could it be for?  Stay tuned...

Why I'm Glad My Husband Can Make Stuff

This plant stand is on the someday list.

Belovedest and I have been making garden plans/fantasies, and the current arrangement calls for little garden “rooms,” each with a centerpiece.  This would do nicely, and it folds up flat for storage. 

It is from Easy-to-Build Outdoor Projects: 29 Projects for Your Yard and Garden written by “The editors of popular woodworking.”

Weekly Round Up

This week I...

... helped paint the window ledge that Handsome made:
BEFORE

 AFTER

.... did some playing with tile.

... hosted a movie night with Auntie Em.  (That's why everyone is smiling--Aunt Em brought amazing desserts!)  We watched Les Mis, the newest one.  Yes, I cried.

... met our Goddaughter Isabel's new baby brother.

She just gets prettier every time we see her. 

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Love it!

Men with power tools are SEXY!

(And before anyone accuses me of promoting gender stereotypes, he’s borrowing MY sander!  ... The one he gave me for Christmas because he is a wonderful husband!)

Turn a Drawer into a Set of Shelves

Easiest, quickest DIY ever!  (If you have tools, that is.)  Seriously—about 15 minutes.

I have a tiny worktable in the bedroom and I need to make good use of space.  So for the cost of one board (about $2) and a free shelf, we made this:

 ...out of this:

1. Take off the drawer handles.

2. Measure and cut the board to fit.  Think snug.

3. Test to make sure what you are going to put on the shelf actually fits:

Two screws on either side will hold it in place.

DONE!

Before:

After:

Weekly Round Up

We dropped off one of Dad’s bookshelves at Out of the Box.  They will be selling it for him on commission—here’s hoping!

The lettuce on the window ledge is sprouting!  However, in the interests of full disclosure, I must admit that the 30-cent seeds from Wal-Mart are doing better than the ones I harvested.  I am undaunted!  Just somewhat chastened.

I want an étagère.  I didn’t even know they existed until I read Jonathan Adler’s
100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life, but I think one shaped like a Christmas tree would be the perfect way to display my Christmas ornaments for sale at the next craft fair.  I’d just add some little hooks for them to dangle from.  (Other than that, I didn’t really like the book.)

Have a great week, everyone!

Weekly Round-Up

This week....

.... we harvested and ate purple beans!  (They turn green when you cook them.)

... The Magician tore out spent plants from the veggie garden (peas and lettuce) and then replant the squares with new stuff (kale, carrots, peas, and beans).  I'm thinking we are about a week late on some of those, but we'll see.

... he also started on what I'm calling our "Us Painting," designed with help from our readers:

... I played with papier mache.

.... I played with tissue paper.....

.... and I played with wood.  (I got lots of help from dad with that.)

Too many projects in progress and not enough getting done!  (I'm also going to turn cardboard in stained glass.  It's on the agenda for next week, in theory.)  But next week I should have some more time..... And when projects are done, I'll post tutorials with photo, promise!